The Indian Army is accelerating the acquisition of six AK-630 rotary air defense guns to reinforce protection for border towns affected by recent cross-border clashes with Pakistan. The systems will be sourced from state-owned Advanced Weapons and Equipment India under “Mission Sudarshan Chakra,” the country’s long-term national air defense modernization program. According to official sources, the AK-630 units will be deployed to counter threats from drones, artillery, and rockets targeting civilian and strategic sites, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. The decision follows lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, when Pakistani strikes exposed gaps in India’s rapid-response capabilities. The purchase has been authorized under an emergency procurement program, allowing fast-track induction. A senior army official noted that additional systems would likely be ordered later, as the AK-630 serves effectively as a close-in weapon system (CIWS) due to its high rate of fire. Developed originally in the Soviet Union during the 1970s, the AK-630 features six 30mm barrels capable of firing up to 4,000 rounds per minute at speeds of 900 meters per second, engaging targets within a 4-kilometer range. The system’s 1,000-kilogram weight and towable design enable rapid repositioning. Equipped with electro-optical fire control and all-weather engagement capabilities, it provides effective defense against low-flying aerial threats. Once deployed, the AK-630s will be networked into India’s Akashteer AI-based air defense command system, enhancing situational awareness and ensuring coordinated, real-time countermeasures against aerial incursions.
